Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy Aguilar.
Stacy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always loved creating things — whether it be something I made with my hands, a crazy event or organization I created, or something I designed digitally, I’ve been “making” since I was a little girl. I officially started making and selling things in 2016 when I learned to sew burp cloths and teethers a few weeks before my first daughter was born. Over my maternity leave, I created an Etsy shop called Janie Bird & Co, and it was then that I got my first taste at selling handmade goods and creating things wholesale for local shops. I also got a taste at some serious time management, because I learned how to juggle my commitments as a full-time graphic design teacher at a public school, with learning how to be a new mom, keeping up with my relationships as a wife and friend, and trying to get some sleep when I could.
Eventually, I became really interested in all of the weavings and woven tapestries I was seeing everywhere. I was drawn to the bohemian feel and the textures of woven fibers, so I had to learn. I taught myself with different resources online and quickly fell in love with all the possibilities.
I started teaching workshops a few months later and really loved the conversations and relationships built through them. I’m not going to lie, the first few were a little nerve-wracking. Even though I taught for five years, I hadn’t taught adults before. I’ve hosted about 10 workshops since then, and it’s definitely a highlight for me.
My interest in punch needle embroidery really came out of my desire to figure out something new to do with my yarn. I was around six months pregnant with my second and eager to pick up a new skill — since I didn’t have enough going on, right? I was still teaching at a school I loved, but I knew I was going to transition to being a stay-from-home / work-from-home mom once my second was born.
Fast forward to today — I stay home with my two kiddos and fill our days to the brim with a balance of the mom and maker life. Under my business, Wool and Wow, I create fiber art pieces, teach workshops, curate crafting kits, and provide resources for creative entrepreneurs. In addition to the “fiber artist” side of what I do, I support small businesses, creatives, and mission-minded organizations through graphic design, social media, and marketing projects. It keeps me busy, but I’m loving this season of life!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Things have gone pretty smoothly so far, but two things come to mind when I think about the last couple of years. As a creative and work-from-home mom to two little kids, I’m constantly assessing and improving my work/life balance — that balance of being a present and engaged mother while also allotting the time I need to get my work done. Is our schedule working well? Am I trying to get too many things done during the day when I know naps and such aren’t always a guarantee? Do I need to stay up late yet again to make this happen? It’s so easy to just let my girls play on their own or sit and watch a show while I get my work done — and while I’m totally fine with screen time and a good dose of independent play, I can certainly feel a shift in everyone’s mood if that happens too often. My girls are 3 years and 11 months, so they keep me busy. In a good way.
A more business-related struggle I’ve had recently is the sudden need to secure a new punch needle when my original supplier went out-of-stock for an extended period of time. I always knew that was a possibility, so I had some ideas on how to adapt. I did have to shift some prices around and get set up with a new supplier, which took a few weeks, but I’m excited about now offering the Oxford Needle (one of my absolute favorites). I’m also really loving my kit 2.0 — there are a lot of new colors and fiber options in it. The experience reminded me to always be working on new ideas because you never know when something will come up and block a revenue stream.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Wool and Wow – what should we know?
My business is Wool and Wow, and I’m a fiber artist and creative entrepreneur with a heart to teach and support other creatives and small businesses through workshops, business resources, and marketing support. I love encouraging others to pursue their passion — as a creative, I know what it takes to put your heart and work out there. It’s a big deal y’all! It’s vulnerable and exciting and terrifying and so rewarding.
As I mentioned a little above, I split my time between being an artist and being a designer and marketing strategist. I am probably most known for my punch needle pieces and kits — something I started selling back in November of last year when an amazing fiber artist reached out to me about a collaboration. She was about to launch a class and wanted to know if I was interested in selling kits to complement her material. (She found me through hashtags on Instagram!) Of course my answer was YES — I just had to figure out how to secure and find space for 150+ kits! Since then, I’ve taught a number of punch needle courses at Stir Crazy Baked Goods on Magnolia. I just love that space and Robbie has always been so good to me (and the creative community).
What am I most proud of? I think I’d have to say I’m most proud of saying “yes” to the kits when there were a lot of unknowns. At the time, my second was just three months old, and I was still transitioning to being a full-time, stay-at-home mom. I had no idea how to secure wholesale relationships or how to provide the credentials needed, but I knew it would be a valuable experience. My husband also became an expert at spinning yarn into mini yarn cakes through the process, so that’s a plus, right?
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I think it helps to just be a really encouraging person. An honest person, but someone who champions others. People have so much going on in their day — I’d love for them to feel a little happier after engaging with me in some way. Whether that be through social media, at a pop-up, or at one of my workshops — being supportive and loving to those around you is just so important.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.woolandwow.com
- Email: hello@woolandwow.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woolandwow/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woolandwow/
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/woolandwow
Image Credit:
Sarah Linden (main photo of me and weaving with a pink background), Stacy Aguilar (punch needle product shots)
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